Printing-press.



R. G. WHITLOCK.

PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION HLED Nov. a. 1915.

1,230,966. Patented June 26, 1917.

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R. G. NHLCK PRINTING PRESS.

APNIC/mon m51) Nov.8.1915.

Patented June 26, 1917. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

RALPH G. 'WHITLOCIL 0E Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

PRINTING-PRESS.

Specification'of Letters Patent. Patented June 26, 1917.

Application filed November 8, 1915. Serial No. 60,248.'

To alliwkom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, RALPI-I Gr. WHITLOCK, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Los Angeles, in the lcounty of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Printing-Presses, of which the following is a specication. i

My invention relates to a press `design'ed for placingy an imprint on 'an envelop or wrapper showing that the postage thereon as to one full postage has been prepaid and the object thereof is to provide a' press which will count and register all impressions made lby it and when ya given number of impressions have been made the pressl will .be automatically locked against further use until unlocked and the counter and registering mechanism'returned to normal.

A further object is'to provide a press of this character in which mechanism is provided which will prevent tampering with the printing Inember during the printing operation.

A further object is to provide means'to automatically adjust the pressto different thicknesses of paper during the printing operation.

I accomplish these objects by the mechanism described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming apart of this application in which:

Figure 1 is aside elevation 'of 'my press, partly broken away. i

Fig. 2 is an enlarged central vertical. sectional detail, partly in elevation, of the upper member of my press.

Fig. 3 is a section'on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. p

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged central vertical section of a fragment of my press showing the press in its operative position.

Fig. 6 is a fragment of a view similar to Fig. 4 with the press in its operative position.

Fig. 7 is ing dogs.

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan oftheprinting member.

In the drawings 10 is a frame, preferably of cast metal, which has a transverse slot 11 therein which slot divides the frame into an upper member 12 and a lower member 13. In the upper ymember is mounted to an enlarged V.detail of the hold- :move vertically a plunger 14 on the bottom of which is carried an impression plate or die 15 which `shows the place at which the postage is paid. Hthin the plunger is .mounted a stem 16 which carries `on the lower end thereof the date 'typey 17vv showing the date upon which the impression is made.

.The upper end of stem 16 carries a pin 18 vwhich ldrops rinto a recess 19 in the top of the plunger. Above the pin the stem is reduced in size and is preferably knurled. An lannular nut 2O surrounds the top of the stem above the pinand is screwed upon the top'yof the -plunger'to hold the parts .properly positioned. The plunger has a rack 21 whichis engaged by a pinion 22 mounted on 'shaft 23.-- Shaft 23 is mounted in the upper member of the frame and has Aan operating' handle or lever I24 by means of which the plungerinay be reciprocated vertically. At each side of `the plunger in 'the frame are recesses or sockets 25 in which are mounted co'il springs 26. Disks 27 rest 'frame and vterminates in a head 32 which head is securedin a recess 33 in the frame. The head is held positioned by screw 34. A spring 35 ismounted on pintle bolt 36 which holds pad 29 inplate 30` and normally holds the pad' 'extending across-and just below the bottom of theplunger. In the lower member of the frame in alinement with the plunger is a yielding bed 37. In the upper-member of the frame below the bottom of the plunger when in its'normal position is a recess 3S in which is slidably mounted a holding or protective frame 39 which is shown as rectangular; At'the upper edge of each end of frame 39 are pins 40 which are engaged by springs 41mounted in sockets 42 which sockets open at the bottom on one side to permit the pins tobe moved the full limit as hereafter explained. In the upper member of the frame at each side of frame 39 are cut apertures 43 in which are pivotally mounted one end of dogs 44. The other ends of dogs 44 extend inwardly to a point immediately below the ends of cams 45 secured to the sides of the rio lower end of plunger 14. The inner ends of dogs 44 are provided with friction rollers 46. These dogs extend through slots 47 in the sides of frame 39 and are engaged by the plunger when it descends and cause said frame to move downwardly. To reduce friction I mount rollers 48 in the sides of frame 39 which are engaged by dogs 44. These rollers could be omitted and the dogs could engage the sides of the frame, but I prefer their use as they reduce friction. In one side of the lower portion of plunger 14 are two rows of ratchet teeth one of which, 50, projects upwardly and the other, 51, pro jects downwardly. These ratchet teeth are engaged by dogs 52 and 53 mounted in a slot or recess 54 in the frame. Teeth 50 are engaged by dog 52 as the plunger is moved downwardly to hold the plunger against upward movement and teeth 51 are engaged by dog 53 as the plunger is moved upwardly to hold the plunger against downward movement. Each row of ratchet teeth is provided with a releasing trip 55 which engages a projection 56 on the dog to move the same out of engagement with the teeth. An operating trip 57 is provided at one end of each row of teeth which engages the dog and moves it into engagement with said teeth as hereafter explained. Springs 58 and 59 serve to retain the contact ends of dogs 52 and 53 in operative engagement with ratchet teeth 50 and 51 respectively. Slidably'mounted in the sides of slot 54, at right angles to the dogs are holding pins 60 the ends of which project into said slot and are adapted to be received in recesses 61 in the other ends of dogs 52 and 53 to hold said dogs out of engagement with the ratchet teeth. Springs 62 force said pins into said recesses in the dogs when said recesses register with said pins as best shown in Fig. 7. In the lower portion of the upper member 12 at the rear thereof is provided a chamber 63 in which is mounted a register or counter 64 of any well known construction suitable for the purpose. The operating arm 65 of this counter is connected by a link 66 to one end of an actuating arm 67 pivotally mounted by a pivot 68 intermediate its ends in the upper end of a standard 69, which standard extends upwardly from the bottom of chamber 63. The free end 70 of arm 67 is engaged and elevated by a trip 71 secured upon the side of plunger 14 upon the upward movement thereof. VA coil spring 72, one end of which is connected to arm 67 and the other end to the top of chamber 63 acts to move said free end downwardly upon the downward movement of the plunger and into position for engagement with trip 71 upon the return movement of said plunger. The counter disks 73 of counter 64 are provided with a plurality of screwthreaded holes 74, one for each member on each disk, in which is adapted to be positioned a locking screw or pin 75.

Slidably mounted iii a bearing 76, depending from the top ofiy chamber 63, adjacent the front side of the counter, is a plate 77 to one edge of which is secured one end of a locking bolt 78 which bolt is adapted to be received in a recess 79 in plunger 14 to lock the same against movement. Pivotally connected to the opposite edge of plate 77 is an operating plate 30 which plate is adapted to rest upon the upper surface of disks 73 and be engaged by locking pin 7 5 to project bolt 78 into recess 79. A port or opening 81, preferably rectangular, is provided vin the top and rear wall of chamber 63 which opening is closed by a door or closure 82, hinged to the casing at S3. The free end of this door is secured by a padlock or other means 84, which when locked prevents the door from being opened.

In the operation of my device an envelop oi' wrapper upon which it is desired to inale the imprint is placed in position upon the bed or platen 37.

The opei'ator then moves the handle 24 forwardly and downwardly which will i'otate pinion 22 and through rack 21 cause plunger 14 to move downwardly. The ini.- tial movement of the plunger will cause the lower end of the saine to engage the inking pad and ink the type or die. A further movement will cause said pad to swing on its pivot downwardly and toward the side of frame 39. At the same time the lower ends of cams 54 will engage the free ends of dogs 44 and force the same downwardly. Dogs 44 will force frame 39 downwardly. Continued movement of the plunger will cause roller on the lower end of the plunger to engage the inking pad and hold the saine in its inoperative position as best shown in Fig. 5 and cams 54 will move dogs 44 to their extreme downward movement and will then act to hold said dogs in their adjusted position. Dog 52 will be in engagement with teeth 50 which will prevent the return movement of the plunger until said dog is disengaged, upon the plunger reaching` its full limit of downward movement.

Trip 71 will also move downwardly which will permit the counter to be positioned for engagement therewith upon the return 'movement of said plunger.

It will be noticed that owing to the construction of dogs 44 frame 39 will travel downwardly at a much greater speed than will plunger 14 and will remain at its downward limit until. the plunger has practically reached its normal position again thereby securing the envelop or wrapper against movement during the printing operation and also preventing the impression being made until the printing member has reached its i eo extreme downward limit. Upon plunger 1/1 reaching its eXtreme downward movement releasing trip 55 will engage projection 56 on dog 52 'and move the same out of engagement with teeth 52 when pin 60 will enter recess 61 in said dog and hold the saine out of engagement with said teeth, it being understood that springs 62 are of greater strength than springs 5S and At the same time operating trip 57 will engage the contact end of dog 53 and move the same into engagement with teeth 51 whereby plunger 14 will be free to move upwardly while dog 53 will act to prevent any return movement thereof until the extreme upward movement has been made when trip 55 of this row of teeth will release dog 53 from teeth 51 and operating trip of the other row of teeth will bring dog 52 into engagement l with teeth 5() again and the plunger may again be operated downwardly. Locking pin 7 5 will be positioned in the desired hole 74 to permit the desired number of impressions to be made and upon the rotation of said counter bringing said pin into contact with the .edge of plate 8() locking bolt 7 8 will be projected into recess 79 thus preventing movement of said plunger until said locking bolt is withdrawn.

Having described my invention what I claim is:

1. In a printing press a stationary frame; a transverse feed opening therein; a. yieldable platen mounted in said frame to project into said feed opening at one side thereof; a plunger mounted in said frame in alinement with said platen at the opposite side of said feed opening; a printing member mounted on the lower end of said plunger; a removable member mounted within said plunger to move therewith; removable type mounted on the lower end of said removable member; means to supply ink to said printing member and type; a movable casing mounted in said frame at the lower end of said plunger adapted to project across said feed opening and to contact with said platen whereby said printing members are entirely inclosed during the operation of said plunger; means operated by said plunger adapted to move said casing into position in advance of said plunger and to retain the same in its adjusted position until said plunger has returned to its normal position; means connected to said plunger to confine the same to a movement in one direction during each stroke thereof.; counter mechanism operated by said plunger adapted to register' each impression of the printing member; means operated by said counter mechanism to lock `the plunger against movement when a. predetermined number of impressions have been made; and means to operate said plunger.

2, In a printing press a stationary frame;

a transverse feed opening therein; a yieldable platen mounted in said frame at one side of said opening; a plunger mounted in said frame at the opposite side of said opening; a printing member mounted on the lower end of said plunger; a movable member mounted within said plunger to move therewith; a printing member mounted on the lower end of said removable member; means to supply ink to said printing members; a movable casing mounted in said frame at the lower end of said plunger adapted to project across said feed Opening and contact with said platen whereby said printing members are inclosed during the operation of said plunger; means operated by said plunger adapted to move said casing into position in advance thereof and to retain the same in its adjusted position until said plunger has returned to its normal position; means connected to said plunger adapted to confine the same to movement in one direction during each stroke thereof; counter mechanism operated by said plunger adapted to register each impression of said printing members; and means to operate said plunger.A

3. In a printing press a stationary frame; a transverse feed opening therein; a yieldable platen mounted in said frame at one side of said opening; a plunger mounted in said frame at the other side of said opening; a printing member mounted on the lower end of said plunger; a removable member mounted within said plunger to move therewith; a printing member mounted on the lower end of said removable member; means to supply ink to said printing members; a movable casing mounted in said frame at the lower end of said plunger adapted to proj ect across said feed opening and contact with said platen whereby said printing members are inclosed during the movement thereof; means operated by said plunger adapted to move said casing into position in advance of the plunger and to retain the same in its adjusted position until the plunger has returned to normal position; means connected to said plunger adapted to confine the same to a movement in one direction only until its eXtreme limit is reached in either direction; and means to operate said plunger.

4. 1n a. printing press a stationary frame; a transverse feed opening therein; a yieldable platen mounted in said frame at one side of said opening; a plunger mounted in said frame at the other side of said opening in alinement with said platen; a. printing member mounted on the lower end of said plunger; means to supply ink to said printing member; a movable casing mounted in said frame at the lower end of the plunger adapted to project across said feed opening and contact with said platen; means operated by said plunger adapted to move said casi ng into position in advance of said plunger and to retain the same in its adjusted position until said plunger has returned to normal; and means to operate said plunger.

5. In a printing press a stationary frame having a transverse feed opening` therein; a platen mounted in said frame at one side of said opening; a plunger mounted in said frame at the other side of said opening in alinement with said platen; a printing member mounted on the lower end of said plun` ger; means to supply inl; to said printing member; a easin` mounted in said frame adapted to project across said feed opening and Contact with said platen upon the initial movement of said plunge 'g means to positionV said easingr and to retain the same in its :uljusted position until said plunger has returned to its normal inoperative position; means to confine said plunger to a movement in one direction only until its extreme limit has been reached in either direction; counter mechanism adapted to register each impression of said printing member; means to look said plunger against movement upon a predetermined number of impressions being made; and means to operate said plunger.`

G. In a printing press a stationary frame haring a transverse feed opening therein; a platen mounted in said frame at one side of saidfeed opening; a plunger mounted in said frame at the other side of said opening in alinement with said platen; a easing adapted to project across said feed opening and contact With said platen upon the initial movement of the plunger; means to operate said :asing and to retain the same in its adjusted position until said plunger has returned to its normal position.

7. In a printing press a. plunger composed of an outer shell and an inner rod detachably secured thereto and being freely removable from the outer shell; means carried by said plunger to print characters, a portion of the characters being carried by the outer shell and the other portion by the inner rod; means to operate said plunger; means to lock said outer shell against beingtampered with; in combination with counting mechanism operatively connected to said outer shell.

In witness that I claim the foregoing` I have hereunto subscribed my name this 20th day of October, 1915.

RALPH (l. VHITLOC'K.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

